Service and Coincidences

From February 8

Noteworthy events this last week: We had exchanges, we participated in a Church sponsored relief service project, and the branch here in Malilipot started a group.

We had exchanges on Wednesday, which was a lot of fun. I realized that every exchange I've had here in Tabaco (except for a single time when both Zone Leaders came to Malilipot to work here) I've gone to their area, Comun. At this point, I know the names of several of their recent converts, and know their area relatively well.

My companion for this exchange was Elder Nielsen, who is originally from Arizona and only has three weeks left on the mission. He speaks Tagalog phenomenally well, and has a more developed vocabulary of Tagalog words than most Filipinos I've met. He pulls that off because most Filipinos will use English for most common vocabulary, but he finds the old outdated Tagalog word for the object and uses that. In between appointments, I relished being able to speak English, and found that there are quite a lot of phrases and words that I can say more easily in Tagalog than English.

On Saturday we had the opportunity to help carry out a Church relief effort to help farmers whose crops had been damaged by Typhoon Ruby (I don't know what they called that in the States. It was the Super Typhoon that hooked south and weakened at the last moment). Pretty much we ended up distributing forty kilo sacks of rice seedlings for several hours. I enjoyed myself, and I feel like the farmers (none of which were members) got a better look at what the Church is about.

On Sunday we had a surprise visit from Elder and Sister Wilcox, a senior missionary couple here in the Legazpi Mission. Apparently it was completely unplanned, but they came on the same day the Branch President was planning on officially starting a group out in one of the far areas called Binitayan. He said he didn't know how he was going to transport the twenty chairs they would need out there, and called the senior couple his "angels." The truck the senior couple uses made what would have been a very difficult logistics problem incredibly easy. The timing was pretty miraculous.

It was interesting seeing Elder and Sister Wilcox fit into the branch, seeing as neither of them speak Tagalog. There are a few members of the branch who speak pretty good English, but other than that members only know what they learned in school. I can't imagine what it would be like living for any extended period of time in a country where you don't speak the language.

The group itself was an interesting experience. It was held in the home of a family who hadn't been able to attend church for what I gather was months if not years due to economic reasons and distance. They seemed quite thankful to have the sacrament available in their own home. Due to poor communication, they were the only ones who were able to attend the group, but I'm told there are more members in the area who will be able to come next week.

Most of my study this week has been on Lehi's vision, and the beauty of that vision. A lot of times investigators have a hard time remembering rote sermons in the Book of Mormon, and that vision engages and sustains a very different set of readers. It's incredibly simple and visual, and yet it conveys a very simple yet difficult part of the gospel. Find the word of God, cling to it, and you'll be okay. Leave it, and Satan gains power to distort what you see and understand. Oh, and whatever you do, avoid pride.

I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It's an incredibly elegant and effective book when read regularly. However, the book loses any ability to better our lives if it's just left to sit on a shelf and collect dust. I plan on making the study of that book my lifetime endeavor, and invite you to do the same.

Love,

Elder English

This is Cacao

They Grow Up So Fast

From January 25

This week was a good one. We mostly focused on teaching part member families, and asking if we could teach the nonmembers in part member families who we aren't currently teaching. Families can only be united for eternity in the temple if they're first united in the faith. I'm hoping that the people we teach will come to understand the fulfillment found in the gospel, just like their families have.

At the end of the week, we had a District Conference, which was held in Tabaco. Because of the distance, some of those we teach weren't able to attend, but it meant that several of the men in the branch had the opportunity to be interviewed to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. One of those was Brother Reuben, our recent convert. It surprised me how quickly that happened for him, and at first I was worried the branch was jumping the gun, but as we discussed the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood with him, I realized that he's ready. He was interviewed and found worthy to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, and after the Conference itself ended, he had upon him conferred the Melchizedek Preisthood, and ordained to the office of an Elder. Both he and his wife, Rochelle have amazed me with how quickly they have progressed in the Gospel and how well they have fitted into the Branch. I've enjoyed an inexpressible fulfillment as I've watched them learn and come to understand how satisfying it is to know the answers that the Gospel offers us. I love being a missionary, and every rejection and difficulty I've experienced as a missionary has been worth being a part in the conversion of God's elect. I'm looking forward to what the rest of my mission has in store for me.

Love,
Elder English

This is a little shop across the street from our apartment, but the people who own it live out of said shop. They fit three adults and one toddler into the space roughly equivalent to one of the bathrooms back home. Oh, and their kitchen is the back half. They recently made it smaller on purpose, which was a decision that I really don't understand. The expectations and perception of living conditions here and back home are so very very different, it blows my mind sometimes.

More Wedding Pictures

From January 11

Best Man

From January 5

This week was awesome. We had a wedding/baptism (I wasn't able to get any pictures on my camera, so I'm working on borrowing an SD card from someone else. Sorry) for Reuben and Rochelle. I had the honor of being the Best Man and Elder Medios sang as the procession moved down the hallway. The baptism only had a dozen or so people attending because it was on a weekday, but I think it was just right.

Earlier today we had our district activity on the beach. That's where the pictures came from. Lots of fun. Sorry, time is short, and so is this email. Love you all!

(Picture attached he sent the next week.)

From December 22, 2014

Weeks Highlights:
Wednesday-Christmas Conference. All missionaries in the Legazpi Mission in a single room. Absolute blast.
Friday-Zone Training, after the meeting was over we had a white elephant (it was kind of funny watching Filipino missionaries figure out the tactics of the white elephant for the first time) I ended up with a pretty well made knife with a carabao horn handle. After getting home felt sick. Pretty sure I picked it up from one of the missionaries at the Training.
Saturday-Sick... Blech. We weren't able to go to the baptisms of two investigators from Malilipot or the Branch Christmas Party. I felt bad for Elder Medios, cooped up with me instead of having a good time with the branch.
Sunday-still kind of sick, but had no choice but to go to church, take a trip to Tabaco to get my blood tested (labs weren't open, wasted effort) administer a special sacrament to a member who lives really far away, and figure out the baptismal interview for two of our investigators... Yeah, I felt miserable last night trying to sleep.
Baptismal Interview: Reuben and Rochelle, our super awesome investigators, both passed their interview. They'll be married between now and January first in preparation for their baptism no January first (the date was at their request) I'm super excited.

Our Golden Investigators

Busay Falls

From November 23

This week was a pretty normal one, up and until Sunday. Then things went crazy. Our golden investigators, Reuben and Rachelle, were stranded in Tabaco by a broken down motorcycle. That wouldn't be a problem, except that church attendance is a requirement for baptism here in the Philippines, and may or may not delay their baptism, which is frustrating. Then, later in the day when we were teaching another one of our solid investigators, we found out that she'd already been taught and baptized. We've been teaching her for several months now, but she only thought to mention that she'd already been baptized in Manilla then... Mind. Blown. Having teaching objectives change that drastically in the course of three or four questions was pretty disorienting. After that appointment, we had a semi-progressing investigator hide from us because she was shy. Then, at the very last appointment of the day, we had an investigator mention that she knew a member that had watched pornography. That took quite a bit of time and following the Spirit to hash out. When we finally got back to the apartment and sat down to evaluate the days work, my companion said "Grabe si Satan" which pretty much meant "Holy crap Satan was active today."

Ironically, opposition to the work only makes it more clear the divinity of this work. Satan knows the importance of proclaiming the gospel, and works double time to do everything in his power to stop it. The third verse of the hymn "The Time Is Far Spent" it reads "Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you; The weight of your calling he perfectly knows" I've come to know that's so true. Fortunately, we've been promised that "No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing." As saints, we'll experience trials and difficulties in the work of establishing His kingdom, but we'll come out successful in the end.

I love you all, have a wonderful week :)

Elder English

From November 30

This week was one of a lot of teaching, and a lot of getting fed. My favorite lesson of the week was with a less active sister in which we all went around and shared our favorite stories from the life of Christ, expressed our thanks for his Atonement, and then talked about what each of us think about while we're taking the Sacrament. There was such a strong spirit to the lesson, and I love having the opportunity to testify of the life and mission of Christ.

As for getting fed, Elder Nierves is being transferred tomorrow, and a lot of the members wanted to give him a send off, so we ate a lot. Good times in the Philippines. I'm going to miss Elder Nierves a ton. I've had him either as a roommate or a companion for all of my time in the field aside for a single transfer (a little more than ten months) and in that time we've become really close friends. The upside is that we already know where he's going and who my new companion is going to be. Normally, all transferring missionaries and their companions collect at a central point for the new assigned areas and companions to be announced, and then all of those missionaries disperse back out to their areas. However, Elder Nierves is being transferred to Bacacay, which is the next city up the highway, so we were informed beforehand and we won't be going to the transfer point. My new companion is coming from Bacacay. His name is Elder Medios. We actually met when we were both being trained in order to become trainers, and we got along really well. He did a really good job of walking my trainee, Elder Pangilinan, through his first priesthood blessing when I got sick during the training. I'm really looking forward to working with him.

Life is always changing and shifting. People move in and out of your life, surroundings change frequently, and our status and conditions of living can shift in the blink of an eye. May we all make our great strength in life a relationship with the one thing that won't change, our Father in Heaven. He loves us, and always will. His Plan of Salvation has as its most central purpose our welfare and good as His children. Let us find our place in His plan so that we may return and live in His presence eternally.

Love,

Elder English

From December 15

So, this last week was a lot of fun, with some great breakthroughs int he work. The first was with a brother who we're preparing for baptism, and we taught a lesson where he just hit a wall. Despite being very eager to be baptized, he was really resistant to the idea of living the commandment that we had taught. We taught for a good thirty minutes, explaining the commandment in several different ways, and to be honest, I thought it was a bust. I expected to leave with him still uncommitted to living that part of the gospel. Out of nowhere halfway through, he looked at us and said "give me until the twentieth, and I'll follow that commandment" I was pretty mind blown. There was no warning or indication that what we were explaining to him made any sense, he just made a 180 position flip. I know that wasn't our doing. I'm glad the powers up top have a significant interest in this work.

Then, this Sunday, we had a less-active brother attend church, which blew my mind. My entire stay in Malilipot we've been inviting him to come to church (we teach his nephew most of the time we go to their house, and we make sure that he knows he's welcome at church) and nothing. Every time he tells us he'll come when we invite him, and then comes up with reasons why he couldn't afterwards. I was really happy to see him there, and hopefully it'll be the first step in the journey of reactivation.

I think what I'm trying to say is that people can surprise you if you don't give up on them. Too frequently we underestimate our fellow man and the influence for good the Light of Christ can have on them. God loves them just as much as he loves them, and he certainly hasn't given up on them. Let's sustain Our Father in his work.

I love you guys.
Elder English

Catching Up

I've been doing a bad job of updating Elder English's site, so I'll try to rattle some of these off.

From November 2, 2014 - 

We had the opportunity of attending Sister Samar's baptism. She's not in our area, but we've grown really close with her and her family (she has two children who have recently been baptized, and a few more working to make that happen) and she asked Elder Nierves to baptize her. It was great seeing the baptism itself, and even more great because two of our investigators, who both have decided to be baptized and are in the process of preparation, were able to attend and see what it's like.

From November 9, 2014 - 

For those of you who didn't get last weeks email, we were recently booted from our apartment because the landlady wanted to sell the place. For the majority of the week, we lived with the Zone Leaders out of our suitcases and looked for a new place to stay apartment. A few days ago, the Finance Secretary had a chance to talk to the landlady again, and apparently she hasn't found a prospective buyer and is willing to extend the contract, so we've been able to move back in. While I'm very glad to have a place of my own, I was really enjoying getting to know my Zone Leaders better than I had before. When we were first forced to move out of our apartment, I was really really annoyed, but at this point, looking back, I'm glad it happened the way it did. I suppose that's often the way it works when blessings are veiled as challenges.

This last week, we talked to an investigator about some pretty heavy problems with employment in his life. He talked about the fact that he did really well in testing when trying to gain employment, but because of a natural birth defect, he had failed in every interview to confirm employment the last few months. I related with him the story from a talk delivered by Elder Christofferson in which a man in the military was denied a promotion because he was a Mormon, and how that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I also pointed out that if he had obtained employment in previous months, he very well may not have ever met us, or may not have had time to be taught.

So often, the things that we see as a problem or a challenge is simply a loving God redirecting us, or offering us a blessing that we do not have the vision and foreknowledge to ask for ourselves. God knows our potential, and he knows when we require needed sustenance, or the refiners fire. The key to finding the blessing behind the chastisement is both gratitude and humility. He has a plan for each and every one of us. We just have to be patient enough to see it ourselves.

He loves us.
Love,
Elder English

From November 16, 2014 - 

This week, I had the opportunity to go on two different exchanges, one while Elder Nierves was attending a leadership training, and one we had scheduled in advance with the Zone Leaders. While I love Malilipot and the people here, it's always a great experience getting to see other areas and meeting other wonderful people. I had seen the Zone Leaders area two transfers ago, so I got to see some familiar faces as well as new ones, and had a blast working with Elder Decicio. Truth be told, he's the first companion (albeit our companionship was just for exchanges) who was larger than I, and it was kind of a weird transition. Also, their area is one of the few with bikes. That was fun.

We had a Zone Training on Friday associated with the Leadership Training on Tuesday, in which we were taught how to help those we teach do Family History Work, and I'm really looking forward to making that a more significant part of our proselyting. Back in the MTC, I was able to go through my family tree and learn a bit about my ancestors, and I've treasured the stories and their legacy that they have left for us. The Zone Training really opened my eyes to the fact that the Work of Salvation really isn't confined in any way to the living, and that we as missionaries are in the ideal place to help others look to their dead. The division between missionary work and work for the dead is a division that we need to dissolve. It's one work.
Love,
Elder English

October 19, 2014 - Fantastic Week

My companion and I with Reuben and Rachelle.

This week was a fantastic one. It rained a lot, and we got more than a little wet. On Friday, we had two members come with us to our appointments to act as fellowshippers, and between the four of us, there were only three umbrellas. I lent my umbrella to the member that didn't have one, moved everything that the rain could hurt into my bag, and got absolutely soaked. Despite being wet, cold, and more than a little tired, the day was amazing. Our day ended teaching Reuben and Rachelle. (Reuben is the investigator in the last email) We taught the portion of the Plan of Salvation concerning Pre-Mortal Life and our first parents, and teaching it to them was delightful. They asked questions that delved so much deeper than we normally go, and made comments that made it crystal clear that they not only understand what we taught, but believe it. We went home physically uncomfortable, but that didn't matter because our spirits were so full.

View of the chapel from the back

As a side note, before I left on the mission, I really didn't understand the doctrine behind the Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. Early in my mission, I felt like I taught it poorly because I didn't really understand it myself. That has slowly been less the case as I've taught it more and more, but it still hadn't felt like it had settled fully. That night, I feel like it just clicked for me. It's hard to explain, but I feel like I understand our origins as God's children on a level that I certainly didn't before, and that only adds to my faith in God's love for his children.

Saturday night, transfer announcements were sent out. Seeing as Elder Nierves and I have been companions for two transfers, we expected one of us to be transferred, and Elder Nierves was so sure that it was him. When we read the announcement, we were very surprised, but quite glad, that neither of us was being transferred. Three transfers though, that's pretty unheard of. (at least in our mission) I realized that when the end of the transfer comes, I will have either been roommates or companions with Elder Nierves for all but six weeks of my year in the field. Not gonna lie, we're pretty tight. *crosses fingers* Kinda like this. Heh. Life is good, God loves us, there is a plan. Birth is not the beginning, nor death the end of life. May you all have an enlightening week :)

Love,

Elder English

October 12, 2014 - Rollercoaster

My district

This week was a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Among the happenings
of the week were an interview with the Mission President, the death of
the adult son of a sister in the branch, finding and teaching one of
the most promising investigators I've ever had the honor of teaching,
and General Conference. I don't have nearly enough time to talk about
all of those, so I'm gonna stick to our new investigator and General
Conference.

Our new investigator is actually a pair of investigators, the Branch
President's nephew and his fiance. We taught them about the Book of
Mormon, which they'd actually already started reading. They
appreciated learning about where the book came from, why it exists,
and how it's related to the church. After we finished teaching, the
brother's eyes started tearing up, and he asked, "can I serve a
mission?" We explained that seeing as he was getting married, he
wouldn't be able to right now, but when he and his fiance were
retired, they could serve a senior service mission. Then we asked why
he asked. He told us that he was so grateful for what he's learned,
and he feels this desire to share it with others. That was by far the
fastest I've ever seen someone desire to share the gospel after having
received it. When he watched General Conference this weekend, he told
us that he loved Elder Bednar's talk. I expect that's in large part
because it resonated with what has already felt.
General Conference is and was fantastic. If you're reading this and
are not yourself a member, I highly suggest you watch Elder Bednar's
talk. It's entitled "Come and See." For me personally, President
Eyring's struck me to the core and made me cry. The spirit was so
strong throughout all of Conference, but the words "He knows your
name" hit me like a spiritual train.
I know the Church is guided by living prophets. He knows His people,
and He knows your name, and so much more than just your name. He loves
you.
Love,
Elder English

P.S. Random gospel tidbit for the day. I've been reading the Old
Testament lately, and Solomon's temple had a font on the backs of
twelve oxen. The record reads "but the sea (font) was for the priests
to wash in." (2 Chronicles 4:6) This font or "molten sea" wasn't just
a big pool for the priests to bathe in. Our word baptize is of Greek
origin, and wouldn't have been used in the Hebrew of the Old
Testament. They would have used the word wash, or something similar.
This font was for baptizing in. (I'm not smart enough to have figured
this out on my own, I've been using a manual as supplement to my
study)
The Gospel and the God that makes it known to His children have been
the same throughout all history.

October 5, 2014 - "The Time Is Far Spent"

The Catholic Church in our neighborhood.

This week was an interesting one. We had exchanges with the Zone Leaders, and since their area is closed because it's too close to Mount Mayon, they both came to Malilipot to work. Let me tell you, you can do all kinds of things when you double the number of missionaries working in the area. We found several new investigators via tracting, some of which seemed to have genuine interest in our message. We'll see what happens with that.

The most interesting thing that happened this week was on sunday. Later in the evening, we were teaching a lesson with a less-active family, and a drunk neighbor walks into their home and sits down. At first I thought that was slightly amusing, until he started babbling unintelligibly, loud enough to disrupt the lesson. I turned to him and kindly asked him to either listen or leave. He glared at me, and I got the impression he wanted to punch me. I kind of hoped he would try so I'd have a reason to manhandle him out of the house. He didn't, and we quickly ended the lesson. While we were closing with prayer, he stumbled out.

A line of the song "The Time Is Far Spent" comes to mind. "Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you; The weight of your calling he perfectly knows." I know that Satan spends a lot of effort trying to slow/stop the Work of Salvation. I know there's a lot hanging, both in this life and in eternity, on the missionary work. I love the scripture from Doctrine & Covenants "Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor" (D&C 88:84) It so simply impresses the fact that missionary work isn't just the work of missionaries, but everyone who has come to know the truth of His love and His plan. So next time you feel restrained from sharing the gospel, ask yourself, is that you or the adversary discouraging you? I testify that this is a divine work, and we all have a part in it. I have seen first hand how impossible missionary work is when the missionaries are the only ones involved. God loves us, and has promised us great joy in the work of salvation (D&C 18:15-16). Now let's get it done!

Love,

Elder English

September 21, 2014 - Mount Mayon Is Too Quiet

This week was quiet... Too quiet. Word is that Mount Mayon is planning a surprise party for the Bicol region, but we really don't know when that's going to happen. The volcano is currently at Signal 3 of 5, and if it ramps up to a 4, we'll be evacuated.

On Saturday the other two Elders in the branch had a baptism, and the branch had what they called "Family Day" which was pretty much a big Branch-wide Family Home Evening with a talent show and a showing of The Testaments.

In my Tagalog Book of Mormon reading, I recently arrived at the Isaiah chapters. I'm not gonna lie, I was a little bit worried about the Isaiah chapters, because I don't always understand what he's trying to say in English, much less Tagalog. Once I started them, however, I was surprised to find that I actually understood Isaiah better when reading it in Tagalog. I realized that reading it in two different languages at the same time is like having two perspectives when looking at an object. It makes it easier to understand what you're reading/looking at.

My teaching moment for the week was with our first lesson with a brother. He was short on time, so we only taught the core basics about God's love for us and the eternal nature of families. When we finished teaching, we asked him if he had any questions. Most people we teach those basics to just take them for granted, and don't have any questions. His response was that he had a few, which surprised me. His first was "what do you guys get out of this? With salesmen, (This mans background is in business, so that's what he relates to) they generally have a salary or receive recompense when they sell their product, and he wanted to know what we get. My companion and I looked at each other, and the one word that came to my mind was, "uh... No?" We told him that we don't receive any salary or monetary recompense when we "sell" people on what we teach. He then asked how much we receive when we finish. We again told him that we don't get a penny, and we don't "rank up" when we finish our mission. (a common misconception here is that missionary is just a rank in the heirarchy of Mormon clergy) He kind of looked at us at a loss and asked what we get out of this. A quote came to mind I heard in the MTC that goes "Missionaries are those who leave their families for two years so others can spend eternity with theirs." This led right into his second question. He asked, "How can you claim families are number one in your religion if you guys can't work or raise families?" Both me and my companion laughed and explained that the whole missionary thing is only for two years. I think he was both satisfied and impressed with our answers and with the missionary program in general. It's apparent by his questions that he's a very intelligent man, but is humble enough to learn. I'm really looking forward to teaching him more.

The world is beautiful, God is loving, life is worth living. Take care :)

Elder English

September 14, 2014 - Landmark in Tagalog

This last week has been a good one. Elder Walter's replacement arrived on Wednesday. His name is Elder Asebes, and he's fresh from the MTC. He's a really nice, well-intentioned guy who truly cares about the work. I think it's been an interesting experience for him to be roommates with a bunch of Elders who are so goofy and tease each other all the time. 

On top of his arrival, we had sister missionaries put back in Malilipot. (apparently there were sisters here before I got here, but when I arrived, they got pulled out because one of the two of them had to go home for medical reasons) This marks my first district with sisters, and seeing as my companion is the District Leader, I expect I'll learn a lot about how to coordinate with sisters. Their names are Sister Rubia and Sister Notarte. Sister Rubia actually was assigned in Malilipot some months ago, so she was hailed in the branch with lots of hugs and smiles from the sisters of the branch. Sister Notarte is from the same batch of missionaries as Elder Pangilinan, my last companion, and seems very nice, if a bit shy.

This week I hit a landmark in my Tagalog. Elder Nierves was teaching, and said a word in English (guilt) and then hit a mind block when he tried to think of that word in Tagalog. I managed to come up with it and offer it to him. (Pagkahiya) That actually happened two or three times this week. I patted myself on the back after that lesson. Also, I've hit the point in Tagalog where I've started diverting time and resources to learning the true native language here, Bicol. There are little to no written resources in the language, so learning it will be a bit difficult, but I managed to get my hands on an old Gospel Principles book in both English and Bicol (I had to sell my right leg to get it. Mom, if I have a peg leg when I come home, will you still love me? :P ) so that should offer some help, though the Bicol they use in the book is called Naga Bicol, which is a bit different from the native dialect they speak here, so learning it should be a bit interesting. I'm determined though.

First grary hair.

This week we also had a signal one typhoon, which means it was only itty bitty. It consisted of heavy winds and rain that came in at angles steeper than forty-five degrees. At some points I was holding my umbrella straight out in front of me and couldn't see anything past it as we walked. So much fun.

We've been teaching three relatives in the Branch named Al Jake, Christian, and Don. We've been teaching them the Restoration, and have invited them several times to pray. This last week, we asked about their experiences, and Christian and Don indicated that they didn't really have anything to report other than the fact that they prayed. Al Jake, however, said he felt something, but he didn't know if it was his answer. He described his feeling as a "lightening" (not to be mistaken with lightning. That's not the good kind of answer). It made me so so so happy. I let him know that that was indeed one way God answers prayers. Sometimes we carry burdens we don't even know we have, and we don't know they're there until their lifted off our shoulders, or until someone else lends their hands to the burden. When we got home, I looked up Matt 11:28-30 and read it through several times. It reads:

28. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I know that if we'll take His burden upon us, He will indeed make our burdens light. I know that He answers prayer, though He may require patience at our hands before He gives that answer. I know He loves us and has a plan for us. I love you, He loves us. Have a wonderful and love-filled week.

Love,

Elder English

My first district with sister missionaries, and the first one where I'm the only foreigner.

Slow Week - August 31, 2014

This week has been really slow. My companion got sick, and we were unable to work for the better part of the week. No complaints there, I think the time indoors strengthened our companionship, but it just meant that we didn't get to work much this week.

On the upside, we got three glorious referrals. Those are very very rare, and have panned out into three wonderful investigators. I'm so grateful for the trust of members when they introduce us to members of their family and circle of friends. I know that such efforts by the members bless both the members and the people they introduce, and their bravery will not go unnoticed by the Father. He loves all of us, and would have all of us come unto our fold. We're squandering the blessings of the Gospel if we do any less.

I love you all,

Elder English

Transferred

Hello all, things have been pretty crazy these last couple of weeks. The Bicol region, which is where my mission is, was hit by a signal 3 typhoon, so the work here changed dramatically. We were advised by our Mission President that in most cases teaching would be less effective than service, and post typhoon clean up was encouraged as the primary focus for missionaries. The ensuing two weeks (and the last two weeks of the transfer) were spent offering service to people in Pio Duran. Service ranged from clearing debris from yards to cutting down destroyed banana trees to removing trees that had fallen on houses. Our attire changed from oxford and tie to t-shirts, and instead of bags and scriptures we carried machetes and saws.

Typhoon damage

This last transfer ended, and I was informed that I was being transferred. I've been in Pio Duran for the entire seven months that I've been in the Philippines, so finding out I was being transferred was a little heartbreaking. I said goodbye to the members and my roommates, and readied my things.

The way transfers work in the field, you are informed that you're being transferred, but you aren't told anything about where you're going or who your new companion will be until you meet at a central "transfer point" where elders and sisters meet their new companions and go from there to their new companions.

When I arrived in Legazpi, where our transfer point was, I was informed that my new companion would be Elder Nierves. Both Elder Nierves and I arrived in Pio Duran at the same time, and we had been roommates for six
months, so we know each other quite well. Our area is Malilipot, right outside of Tabaco, and it's one of the, if not the, closest areas to the Volcano Mayon. It's also heavily Catholic, which is different, since, in terms of actively religious people, Pio Duran was a pretty even mix of a variety of different Christian religions. The apartment we have is actually a stone's throw away from a huge Catholic Church. In the apartment are two other elders, a Filipino, Elder Analao, and a New Zealander, Elder Walters.

The work here this last week hasn't been quite as service-heavy as it was in Pio Duran. It's been a pretty even mix, and most of our teaching has been with less and inactive members. One of the members we teach, I don't
really consider inactive, though she hasn't been to church for months, if not years. This sister is in her seventies and bedridden. She lives with her husband in what I can only call a hut with one real room. The Typhoon
left it standing, though the roof is completely useless at this point against rain. And yet, even though this sister has probably the hardest life I can imagine, her faith is one of the strongest I've seen. She loves to have the missionaries come and teach, and she always asks that we sing before we share with her. During our first lesson with her, I felt this outpouring of love for her, and the scripture 1 Samuel 16:7 came to mind, which reads: " But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused
him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." I love this work, and I love that it brings me into the lives of so many good, strong, faithful people.

June 8 - Mangoes!!

Ethan is grateful for fresh, native mangoes.

This week was lots of fun, in a "we worked really hard, but had a blast" kind of way. We're finishing up preparations for the Pertez children's baptism. The date we have (and I'm pretty sure this one will stick) is the 21st. Lessons with them are so much fun, though sometimes they're a bit shy.


We've also been teaching Nanay Rosemary, a widow we've been teaching for a while. I feel like the members we've designated as her fellowshippers are doing a fantastic job of befriending her and helping her with her day to day life. Often fellowshipping is the hardest thing to facilitate as missionaries, so it's so nice to see that bridge being forged long before the baptism happens.

Yesterday, we went to Binodegahan, a relatively far away area, and went to a member's house to pick up one of the youth to come work with us. He got ready, and then left the house with us. A few minutes later his little brother, maybe four years old, came running out, tears streaming down his face, yelling "Where are you going!?" over and over again. Our member, whose name is Hyrum, picked him up, took him inside, and then sprinted out of the house at top speed. Needless to say, his little brother likes him a lot.

In terms of a spiritual message for the week, we just got an issue of the General Conference edition Liahona. President Uchtdorf's talk on gratitude was phenomenal. I highly recommend it. Gratitude is a theme all throughout the scriptures. One of my favorite examples is Lehi. He's just left his gold, silver, home, and the land of his fathers to go out into the wilderness, where he must rely wholly on the support of the Lord, and the first thing he does after leaving is offers thanks to the Lord. An attitude of grattitude really is a huge part of living a happy life.

God bless,
Elder English

March 31 - From Pio Duran

This week has been an absolute blur. Tuesday was transfer day, and I received a new companion and a new calling. My companion's name is Elder Molina, and he's wonderful. He has three months left on his mission and is very experienced. He's quite good at English, and has been helping me figure out some things that confused me about Tagalog. He's also a very good cook, and has been showing me how to cook some native Filipino dishes.

As for the calling, I was asked to serve as senior companion right out of my training, which is kind of overwhelming. It means that I choose where to go and who to visit. My companion gives advice and suggestions, but I make the ultimate decision. I'm also responsible for the record keeping, which I haven't really done before. It's funny, because last week I wrote that the Lord sometimes piles on more than you think you can handle just to show you that you can. I had no idea how true that was until this last week, but I do know that it is true. I think I've shared this quote before, but it still applies. "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called"

Elder Haymond from Santaquin, Elders Nierves and Molina from the Philippines and Elder English

One of the sisters in the ward that is always feeding us. We're so grateful for her hospitality.

Beautiful Filipino flowers

Toploading selfie with beautiful Filipino flowers

Unshucked rice that the natives here spread out on one side of the road to sun dry. You see these everywhere on sunny days.

March 24th - From Pio Duran (Part 2)

***Mama Questions and Answers***

So a couple of questions for you. What do you eat when you are at home in your apartment? What do you guys fix for yourselves? If you get a chance, I would love a picture of the exterior of your apartment.  Also, what is church like there? How is it the same or different from the wards over here?

Um, lots and lots of rice, and usually a bit of meat as a side dish.
They have a word for "thing eaten with rice" Ulam. Usually our ulam is
canned corned beef, langoniza (a type of sausage) hot dog, chicken, or
some other meat. I personally like the pineapple here, so I eat that
with my meals, and when we have fruit I'll have that with my meals. I
also will buy bread and actual cuts of pork when I'm in Ligao and make
sandwiches with that and pineapple. I'll see if I can't get a picture
for you before next week.

 Um Sunday Worship Service. Well, it's anywhere
between thirty and fifty people in the branch, with a ton of those
being children and only three or four being Melchizedek priesthood
holders (not including the missionaries). They sing in English, though
the pronunciation is usually different, and there's no piano, so we
sing without accompaniment, which can be... interesting. The sacrament
prayers are also done in English. On top of that, the leadership isn't
nearly as organized here as it is at home. When I first got here, they
just had a Branch President, though we've helped him know what to do,
so he's extended callings to several brothers, so that is getting
better.

So, we got transfer announcements Saturday Elder Carpio is going
to be transferred tomorrow which makes sense since my training is
officially over. I'll be staying in Pio Duran for another six weeks at
the least, and I'll meet my new companion tomorrow. Elder Rennaker is
also getting transferred out of Pio Duran, which is too bad because
we've become good friends in the twelve weeks we've been here
together.